Meet the Iguana - A large lizard in this kid's flashcard

• posted by admin
• 14 Dec 2022

IGUANA FACTS FOR KIDS

1. Iguanas are reptiles that belong to a large family of lizards. They have stocky stature, saggy skin on their throats, and spines that protrude from their heads, necks, backs, and tails.
2. They’re arboreal. This means they like to hang out in trees. They’re never far from a water source and are great swimmers. They use the water to avoid predators.
3. Just like humans, iguanas are diurnal means they are most active during the day and like to rest at night.
4. They can swim in both saltwater and freshwater. And if the water temperature is right, they can hold their breath for up to 15 minutes.
5. iguanas have evolved to help them stay alive and they have a row of spines down their back and tail which they use to defend themselves.
6. In the wild, they live up to 9 years. Kept in captivity and taken care of properly, iguanas can live up to 20 years of age.
7. Iguanas can release their tail from their body when needed. This could be when picked up by their tail, or when they get stuck or stepped on.
8. They have a few predators like Hawks, Owls, Snakes, Cats, and Humans.
9. Iguanas can communicate with each other non-verbally. Rather than making noises, iguanas bob their heads. They also move the flap of skin under their necks called a dewlap while communicating.
10. They have excellent eye sight, which help them to spot prey or detect danger from far distance.
11. Iguanas have a so-called “third eye” on the top of their heads. It does sense light and movement, helping iguanas anticipate predatory birds from above.
12. In the cold, their metabolism slows down and they enter a comatose-like state. When this happens, they can’t grip branches and thus fall from the trees.
13. Green Iguanas are primarily herbivores, with captives feeding on leaves such as turnip greens, mustard greens, dandelion greens, flowers, fruit, and growing shoots.
14. Iguanas can grow to be as long as 6 feet. This makes them one of the largest lizards that can be found in the Americas.
15. A large factor behind iguanas being endangered is the loss of iguana habitat as a result of human development and deforestation.

If you liked this fact sheet , please do take a look at the Creative Brain Animal Facts Flashcards . The pack contains 40 cards, one flashcard for one animal. These cards can be used to learn more about the animals. Kids can also give the description as clues and their sibblings/friends/ parents can try to guess the animal name. This then becomes a great family activity away from the screen.

Animal Facts QUIZ for kids

1. The flap of skin under the neck of an Iguana is called?

2. What phase do they enter during cold seasons?

3. What are arboreal animals?

4. How do Iguanas communicate?

5. Where is the third eye found in Iguana?

6. When does an Iguana detach its tail?

7. The rows of the spine in the back help them to?

8. Can Iguana swim?

ANSWERS FOR THE QUIZ

1. The flap of skin is called a dewlap.
2. They enter the Comatose-like phase.
3. Animals that live in the trees are called 'arboreal' and they have some amazing adaptations to make the most of their leafy surroundings at every level.
4. Iguana’s communicate non-verbally by bobbing their head or moving their dewlap.
5. Iguanas have a third eye on top of their head. It senses the light and movement of predatory birds.
6. It detaches its tail in times of danger, or when they get stuck or stepped on.
7. They use the spine row to defend themselves during a fight or in any other danger.
8. They are very good swimmers. They can swim both in saltwater and freshwater

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Saffura is a mother of three. She is a yoga instructor and has spent a lot of time teaching yoga for children. She narrates numerous stories to inculcate moral values in children, as she is certain that yoga is for the body and soul. As a mother and yoga instructor,  She enjoys new tasks and likes multitasking. She truly believes that will mould her into a strong writer. As a writer she does a lot of research and pays keen attention to details.